He asked employees for patience and assistance during the transition to a new director.

Muskegon Mayor Steve Warmington said the city will look at its management structure for public safety as it looks to replace Kleibecker.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here but especially my time with each of you,” Kleibecker wrote to his staff. “You are true professionals in every sense of the word and please know that your services are valued by those whom you serve. Thank you for all that you do for the city.”

Kleibecker was challenged as a law enforcement officer and as an administrator during his years with the city of Muskegon. The last decade was marked by decreases in city resources which have meant a reduction in staff in all of his departments.

The city has 79 police officers in the upcoming 2011-12 budget, down from 91 prior to the budget cuts that came during the recent economic downturn. The new city budget includes a change of staffing philosophy to create a five-officer Neighborhood Police Unit to handle “hot spots” throughout the city.

Chronicle file photoPastor Samuel Greer of Queen Esther Baptist Church addresses the media during a press conference at the church announcing the formation of the social justice commission earlier this month. Kleibecker, at right, looks on with Muskegon Heights Police Chief Lynne Gill.

Over the past two years, the city's urban neighborhoods have seen a disturbing increase in gun violence. The shootings have led to several deaths this year and in the second half of 2010.

Besides increased patrols and new policing strategies, Kleibecker joined other law enforcement officials and a group of African-American ministers earlier this month to create the Muskegon Social Justice Commission to address underlying issues that have led to the violence.

In combining the city's police and fire departments under one administration, Kleibecker had a rocky relationship with some in the fire department ranks. However, he helped secure a new fire union contract that moved the department toward part-time, paid professional firefighter positions over time as a cost savings to the city.

The Muskegon Police Department, during Kleibecker's tenure, continued to lack minority officers to serve a city with a significant minority population.

Chronicle file photoKleibecker listens to Victor Sieradzki during the demolition process of the Sieradzki home on Clay Avenue in 2007. The removal of the condemned house became a huge public controversy.

Kleibecker and the city have been saddled with a charter-mandated civil service system that hindered the hiring of minority candidates, city officials have said. The city commission asked voters several times to eliminate the civil service system, but the charter amendment was defeated at the polls.

Warmington said the city is losing a police chief that worked well with other law enforcement agencies and was "even-tempered" in his efforts inside and outside of City Hall.

Warmington praised Kleibecker and his departments for handling the ever-expanding schedule of festivals and events in downtown Muskegon from Summer Celebration to Muskegon Bike Time.

Where the city goes with its public safety administration is unknown, Warmington said.

“We've redesigned our management and our service delivery, and this will give us another opportunity to reassess where we are going,” Warmington said. “We need to find the right person with the right talents to replace Tony. A lot of it will be about dollars and cents.”